ADVERTISEMENT

Imagine the curse of being a musician who produced one hit but wasn't able to write another song that would be nearly as successful. No matter how many albums you'd release, people at your concerts would constantly request that one song. And you'd probably have to give it to them -- a substantial portion of your ticket sales may have depended on it. So you'd be performing the same tune over and over, and over again...

Reddit user Dexley decided to find out whether tattoo artists suffer from repetitive work as well. He made a post on the r/AskReddit subreddit, asking "Tattoo artists, what pieces are you tired of doing?" The short answer is yes. The long answer is the post went viral and has received nearly 16K comments, painting a pretty vivid list of overdone tattoos. Continue scrolling and check it out.

#1

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of If I have to tattoo the entire declaration of independence on one more fat dude's back, I'm going to scream.

--cheese-- , thehistorylist Report

Add photo comments
POST
jubilant-andie avatar
Full of Giggles
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ten bucks says that none of the men have actually read every single word in the document.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Tattoo artist Lauren Harper, for example, has always loved traditional work. "I like to do a lot of that so I can appeal to a wider audience in my city," she told Bored Panda. "I like to do a lot of floral designs too, which is actually what the majority of my portfolio consists of."

Harper thinks that instead of asking 'what tattoos are unoriginal?' we should be questioning whether we can still think of an original tattoo in the first place. "We all get ideas or inspiration from something else. If you can think of it, it's probably already been done," she said. "And that's ok!"

However, if a client comes to a tattoo artist with a design that is particularly overdone, Harper thinks the professional wouldn't be out of line to point that out. "I might inform my client that something they're wanting is 'trendy' and suggest changes to make it more unique and their own, but at the end of the day it's their tattoo and their body so it's ultimately up to them."

#2

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of Friend of a friend got so tired of doing barcodes on people's necks that he made a game of using the silliest products as references. Were the customers to scan the tatoo they'd read sanitary products, a bag of nuts, mashed potatoes, spotted d*ck and so on.

Bobvankay , wikimedia Report

ADVERTISEMENT

Yana, the owner and artist of Foxy Ink Tattoo Studio, agrees that there are motifs that historically have been around for a while, or are 'trendy' right now. "What makes a design unoriginal is copying it exactly and without much thought," she told Bored Panda. "It usually comes from a lack of research and I advise other artists to look for more inspiration and variations of the theme, or ask the client if we can add a personal touch to their idea."

Even though the content might not be original, the story, intent, and execution, according to Yana, can be. "Any rose, pocket watch, anchor, or heart can be executed in an original manner. Except for infinity signs. Infinity signs and flocks of tiny birds are doomed."

Yana thinks that it's up for the tattoo artists to guide people to more original designs. "As an artist, I am responsible that what I put out into the world is up to my standards," she explained. "I've never refused the design idea for that particular reason and I'm sure that opulent and over the top designs suit certain personalities. If I feel some elements don't fit into the design in terms of content or composition, I will say so, and there will be a clear reason why. Ultimately, the ability to include multiple design elements while keeping them readable depends on the skill of the artist and the limitations of the medium."

#3

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of Infinity knots. Infinity knots with hearts. Infinity knots with names too long to be in the infinity knots.

Please infinity not.

Cold_Smiles , tattoojake208 Report

ADVERTISEMENT

When it comes to developing a design that stands out, Yana advises to really research your idea. "Look around, most of the popular ideas are only the surface of what's out there. Dig a little deeper."

Harper pointed out that it's important for people to remember their tattoo won't (and shouldn't) look like the reference they bring in from Pinterest. "You ideally pick your artist because you like their work and you should trust them to make you something you like. Trust is a big part of getting a tattoo," she said, adding that in the end, you're the one getting inked. So if you really want a Disney quote, just go for it. It's your skin.

#4

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of I hate when couples get each others names tattooed on each others arm and crap because then like 2 weeks later the dude will come back for a cover up becuase they broke up, it drives me up the wall.

gugiee , 3dtattoostudio jalandhar Report

#5

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of I worked as a shop manager for a little bit. My boss/the head artist was getting super burnt out on big cats (specifically lions) wearing crowns. In about a month, he'd done 5 realistic lions (and a panther) wearing crowns on dudes who wanted to feel like kings. I had to start politely turning them down when people called to inquire about them.

"Sorry, Ian's not really interested in doing more big cats this month."

AncientCatGod , AlphaGodBC Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#6

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of I’m not against face tattoos, I have friends and peers that wear them quite well. My issue is 18 year olds who want to get them because they want a certain look. Pop culture has made them seem a lot more acceptable then they actually are. At the end of the day in the majority of careers they will hinder employment.

asshatface666 Report

Add photo comments
POST
katieandjaredcoates avatar
Kisses4Katie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always said if I made it as an artist I would get stars on one side.. But I've been saying that since 98 and I'm still not there. :/

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#7

When I got my tattoo of a juggling bear, I was making small talk with the tattoo artist. She said she was tired of doing nothing but tribal designs and dragons all the time. She said the whole shop talked about my Bear juggling a club, a ball, and a machete, and that they were so thrilled by the originality that they were thinking about doing it for free.

They didn't. Cost me $300. Great tattoo though. Still my only one.

JugglingBear Report

#8

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of Tattoo artist from Alabama here. I am not religious at all but I think I've ascribed the entire bible on human flesh at this point.

RAWest_ofRaw , tough_mutt Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of No regerts

______Nobody______ , james_tattooist Report

Add photo comments
POST
lsoo avatar
Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The tattoo artists are just probably tired of dealing with illiterates.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#10

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of Not an artist, but as I was setting up my last appointment, my artist and I were talking at the front desk and the person at the reception at the desk took a call, said "just a minute" and asks my artist;

"Hey Kev, do you have time for a walk in today?"

He looks over and says "maybe, what do they want?"

"An infinity loop"

"Are they on hold?"

"Yes."

"F**k that, I'm so f**king sick of infinity loops. Tell em I'm busy."

So I think infinity loops for Kev.

aZombieSlayer , alycat.tattoo Report

Add photo comments
POST
misterscooter avatar
Misterscooter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wouldn't know but seems like easy money for this one. Must get really old.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of Basically anything from Pinterest. Bird silhouettes, live laugh love, infinity symbols, etc

venttresstheslut , mattjacksontattoos Report

#12

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of Those two f**king birds on the shoulders...

Y2K_Casper , sergiocruztatuagem Report

#13

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of "Its an anchor to symbolize I can't be held down"

tinglesangreenery , reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
ed_25 avatar
Electric Ed
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm having a difficult time understanding this symbolism. Anchors are devices to hold stuff down. Or is this why the tattooists cringe too?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

UK tattoo artist. Okay, pocket watches with roses surrounding them have started to die out bit one or two years ago,, my god they were f**kin rife. The worst part is when the customer says they want one they follow with, I've got an idea to make it special and unique to me. And I'd say ..."you want the time your baby was born don't you?". ..."omg how did you know" -_-. This year it has definitely moved on to lions, tigers etc wearing crowns, it's always the guys that have to check with their lass if the design is ok before they start too. Like mentioned before however, I'll take a pocket watch with a lions face in the centre, birds flying off it merging into an infinity symbol with each bird having its own individual birthstone of the families lost cats over the years, than a smelly person.

ipickedbulbasaur Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#15

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of Mine told me he is refusing to do anymore forests around someone's arm.

85on31 , mcnultyottawa Report

Add photo comments
POST
jubilant-andie avatar
Full of Giggles
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! That is gorgeous. I can see why so many people request a forest theme sleeve from the artist.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of Not a tattoo artist, but so many people I've seen get the mustache on the inside of your pointer finger. I feel like that fad has to have gotten old with a few artists.

wild_stryke , zoe_cue.art Report

#17

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of Idk but 20 years from now there's gonna be a lotta old people with mandala tattoos and tree silhouettes.

hatsnatcher23 , RogoneMama Report

#18

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of Went to a tattoo artist in NoCo once. He asked what I was thinking of doing, I said "I want an outline of-" and he just sighed and said "listen dude, I'm sorry but if I have to tattoo Pikes Peak one more time I'm gonna lose it."

For the record, I was asking for a rat, and he apologized profusely, but I thought it was hilarious. I know three different Coloradans with Pikes Peak tattoos.

Renlywinsthethrone , elsa.jai.tattoos Report

#19

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of Asked my buddy. He said, "if I have to do another goddamn Latin paragraph on a chick's ribs, I'm gonna shoot my brains out!" Ironically, he was doing one on his GF at the time he told me...

epyonk666 , beea.tattoo Report

#20

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of Snake coming out of the eye of a skull and why does the guy who wants this tattoo always have a perfectly groomed goatee.

Talonqr , briansantostattoos Report

#21

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of My grandpa is an artist and so I showed him this post , and immediately he said “butterflies on a obese persons lower back, I can’t tell you how many of those f**kers I drawn over stretch marks” yikes.

adultery_adolescence , jessybonilha Report

Add photo comments
POST
ruben-binnendijk avatar
sabocat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's not very nice of "grandpa" to single out obese people or people with stretchmarks. He could've just said "people", period.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of My friend who's a tattoo artist said he's done the Deathly Hallows symbol probably 15 times in his career.

Romane_PaulNibaa , TheTattooGalleryAdelaide Report

#23

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of Not an artist, but the tattoo shop I go to back home in the Caribbean has a running tally of how many times they have to tattoo palm trees on girls ankles

tonikyat , beautybyjuliitattoo Report

Add photo comments
POST
janinesteam avatar
Janine B.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Caribbean,... palm trees,... who could've expected that?!

View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of Shadow birds and infinity symbols with children’s names within them. Never again.

christokiwi , ImRabjin Report

Add photo comments
POST
mandygora03 avatar
BorPand8
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So this guy's kids are named Soup, Salad, and Breadsticks? 😂🤣😂

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#25

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of From my tattoo artist friend: pocket watches surrounded by roses.

c0nsume0 , thepirt Report

Add photo comments
POST
getsuyoubi avatar
Monday
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay but this looks great though...I can see why it's popular

View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of Snakes. Skulls. Snakes coming out of skulls.

RAEBZIRG , tattoosbythomgreen Report

#27

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of I was with a friend who was getting a tattoo and the artist mentioned he was sick of tattooing “This Too Shall Pass.”

Made sure to pull down my sleeve after he said that.

But f**k it, I got it as a reminder when it comes to my bad anxiety, so whatever.

morgannemary , tatto_ology Report

Add photo comments
POST
ed_25 avatar
Electric Ed
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess that was not the start from the Jane Austen quote "This too shall pass, and probably much faster than it ought to".

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

30 Overly Requested Tattoo Designs That Tattoo Artists Are Sick And Tired Of Sugar skulls.

randominternetnormie , puertotattoostudio Report

Note: this post originally had 57 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.